Daily Archives: July 24, 2013

Fort Lauderdale Council of Civic Associations

Consensus Committee Report

Adopted on January 8, 2013

POSITION STATEMENT: Fort Lauderdale is defined by its unique and diverse neighborhoods

GOAL: Enhance the quality of life for neighbors and preserve the diversity of neighborhoods.

PROCESS: Assemble concerns of member neighborhoods. In November an “issues congress” will be held by the Council to finalize the definition of all issues in this quality of life exercise. Once complete and adopted by the Council, the project will be presented to the City Commission, the City Manager, and the Visioning Committee for the purposes of prioritization, planning, budgeting, and staff resource allocation.

There are many issues managed by organizations other than the City of Fort Lauderdale that have a direct impact on the quality of life with our neighborhoods. It is assumed that the City of Fort Lauderdale would exercise every option to enhance things like education and the arts to enhance the life of its citizens. Other issues like traffic, airport and port management, the hospital system and business development incentives require proactive interaction by the City in order to maximize the results for neighbors.

NEIGHBORHOOD ENHANCEMENT

Summary – Neighborhood Enhancement

Redevelopment has entered some neighborhoods at a cost to the quality of life. Growth and the absence of action have resulted in neighborhood cut through traffic. The volume, speed and presence have impacted the ability of residents to safely walk and cycle. The system of sidewalks and bike paths is incomplete and inadequate.

Recommended Actions – Neighborhood Enhancement

Maintain single-family neighborhood ambiance

Implement NRDC

Quantify “Neighborhood compatibility”

Refine code for “mixed use” neighborhoods

Petition the State of Florida to permit regulation of vacation rentals

Update Codes and Ordinances

Windpower

Solar installation

Urban farms/community gardens

Roof and vertical gardening

Honor all Master Plans filed with the City during review and approval processes

Increase the notice to neighbors both in time and visibility for all parts of the development review process for both residential and commercial

Balance neighborhood character with smart re-development

Steer density to downtown core

Utilize downtown master plan to direct development/developers

Honor the past with preservation efforts

Blend new development with historic neighborhoods

Provide fiscal incentives to retain architecturally significant homes

Protect and enforce historic overlays

Requirements for new development should be forward sighted and include:

Vacation of alleys for developers valued by three-dimensional square footage

Long term plans for energy conservation

Buried lines, streetscape improvements, density requirements

Vacant Lots and Derelict buildings

Incentivize owners to maintain. Alter punitive orientation

Enforce code; Consider Eminent Domain possession for resale

Establish aggressive position with banks and financial institutions negatively impacting neighborhoods and adding to City costs

Manage cut through traffic

Use roundabouts to slow traffic and conserve energy

Install medians and “bump outs”

Increase “walkability” and “cyclibility” within the City

Shade sidewalks and increase canopy

Install crosswalks, bike paths, and buffered bike lanes

Widen sidewalks

Incentivize property owners to install, widen walks

Insure contiguous sidewalk access to public transportation

Add bicycle issues to building codes (parking, access)

Create a “Bicycle and pedestrian Advisory Board” for he City

Integrate neighborhoods with the beach, other entertainment and services via walkways, bike paths and public transportation

Assure adequate parking provisions for neighborhoods adjacent to business areas during re- development and new construction

Use code as custodian of neighborhood quality of life

Particularly the challenge in commercial/residential intersections and mixed-use areas.

Disperse low income housing across all neighborhoods and seek private sector solutions

INFRASTRUCTURE

Summary – Infrastructure

Maintenance and repair of infrastructure is insufficient. Lack of routine replacement has caused catatrosphic failure, neighborhood impact on health and safety, and cessation of services. In addition, the decline in maintenance has negatively impacted businesses in the City which serve neighborhoods. The process by which repair and maintenance is scheduled does not factor elements, traffic, opportunity costs and other causal elements in the prioritization process. Public transportation is not currently a viable option for Fort Lauderdale neighbors.

Recommended Actions – Infrastructure

Change the Canal dredging frequency and rotation

Vegetation growth, neighborhood and erosion factors are not currently factored in scheduling

PUBLIC PLACES

Summary – Public Places

The Council published a Parks position paper February 2009. It was re-issued in 2011. The report is attached. The cornerstone of the report was a “no net loss” policy. Public spaces set the tone for the neighborhood and are an indicator of the health of the City.

Recommended Actions – Public Places

Increase both green space and passive parks in neighborhoods

Use abandoned property and City owned property

Involve the immediate neighbors and City residents as stakeholders in park planning

Preserve current green space and native habitat

Maintain affordable and convenient public access to the Beach and the River for City residents

Establish a contiguous walk on both the north and south sides of the river

Set “Urban Forest” goals

Maintain and increase canopy

Root pruning by City

Shade sidewalks (use DT master plan goals throughout the City for landscaping)